A letter from the CHAIRMAN
T
• Roadway & Parking Lot Striping • Airports •MMA • Schools • 3M Tape • Thermoplastic • Paint For More Information Call
585-621-7940
he busy 2019 construction season is behind us and all indicators are showing that 2020 should be just as healthy. With that being said, we should be preparing our teammates for another busy, aggressive, and hardworking construction year. Jobs in the construction industry are rarely a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. commitment. Because of the longer days, as employers, we need to figure out how to differentiate ourselves from other industries. Finding that formula is even more critical now with the shortage of workers coming into the construction trades. What we do know is that the new workforce is looking for stability and the ability to be part of a team. Those teams do not always need to be sheltered within your company walls. It could be a relationship with a customer or a vendor. Whatever the relationship is, it is up to business owners to provide opportunities for their workers to create these bonding experiences. Since the 1940s, the Builders Exchange has provided an opportunity to align the next generation of leaders within our local construction trades. Originally known as the Junior Builders Exchange, this group of individuals would gather socially every few months over a drink and share “war stories.” Today, the JBX (as they are now called) is comprised of a group of younger, highly motivated individuals that have taken the social aspect of the group to a new level. Although the JBX still enjoys the social aspect of being in this group, they have refocused their energy on making a difference in our local community through charitable efforts. For decades they have had the title of “sponsor” for the highly successful Mary Parkes Asthma Center Golf Tournament (spearheaded by the O’Connell Electric family/team). This may have been the spark leading to their desire to continue giving back. The JBX holds various types of events throughout the year to engage the next round of leaders. Popular competitive team sporting events such as kickball, volleyball and curling promote corporate engagement and camaraderie. They organize multiple education events throughout the year to sharpen business skills. Finally, they throw a few happy-hour events in the mix to build their networking groups. Most recently, the JBX donated $5,000 to their 2019 charity of choice, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Much of the proceeds raised from the events go toward their charities. Their charity of choice for 2020 is the Villa of Hope. For more than 75 years, Villa of Hope has been helping youth and their families regain control over lives that seem like they are lost. They partner with individuals, families and communities to rebuild relationships; recover from trauma, mental illness, abuse and addiction; and renew hope for the future. In closing, if you have a young superstar in your organization who is eager to get involved and go above and beyond standard work duties, introduce him or her to JBX. I have had the opportunity to be part of this group in the past and continue to promote it within our organization. It does provide a different level of satisfaction for those individuals who are engaged, and can benefit those organizations that choose to get involved. For more information and how to get involved with the JBX, please contact kim@robex.com.
50 Bennington Drive • Rochester, NY 14616
capavementmarkinginc.com 8
ROBEX — Quarter 1 • 2020
Bob Morgan, Rochester Builders Exchange Chairman Upstate Roofing & Painting, Inc., C.E.O. www.robex.com
